Pam Padgett ... teacher
2 Kings 4:8 And it fell on a day, that Elisha passed to Shunem,
where was a great woman; and she constrained him to eat bread. And so it
was, that as oft as he passed by, he turned in thither to eat bread. 9
And she said unto her husband, Behold now, I perceive that this is an
holy man of God, which passeth by us continually. 10 Let us make a
little chamber, I pray thee, on the wall; and let us set for him there a
bed, and a table, and a stool, and a candlestick: and it shall be, when
he cometh to us, that he shall turn in thither. 11 And it fell on a
day, that he came thither, and he turned into the chamber, and lay
there.
12 And he said to Gehazi his servant, Call this Shunammite. And when he
had called her, she stood before him. 13 And he said unto him, Say now
unto her, Behold, thou hast been careful for us with all this care; what
is to be done for thee? wouldest thou be spoken for to the king, or to
the captain of the host? And she answered, I dwell among mine own
people. 14 And he said, What then is to be done for her? And Gehazi
answered, Verily she hath no child, and her husband is old. 15 And he
said, Call her. And when he had called her, she stood in the door. 16
And he said, About this season, according to the time of life, thou
shalt embrace a son. And she said, Nay, my lord, thou man of God, do not
lie unto thine handmaid. 17 And the woman conceived, and bare a son at
that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of
life.
It stood out to me how simple the actions of the Shunammite woman were.
Elisha came across her path when he passed through the place where she
lived, and she gave him food. She did this each time Elisha passed by.
She perceived he was a man of God, and asked her husband about
providing a place for Elisha to stay when he passed by ... a little
chamber with a bed, table, stool, and candlestick. Each thing she did
was simple, easily done and not what might be considered great works nor with fanfare.
Yet by these simple things she cared for Elisha, providing food and
shelter when he passed by.
And, even when Elisha sought to know what
could be done for her, she didn't seek anything for herself in return. Although she didn't seek anything for herself, she was blessed by God as she conceived a son even though her husband was old.
I thought of how we don't go out looking for good works to do, drawing
attention to ourselves or seeking benefits for ourselves. But when
someone comes across out path and there is an opportunity to do what is
good in the sight of God (not of the flesh, but as led by the Holy Spirit), we simply do it.
Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a
man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh
shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit
shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in
well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
Comments by Joan Boney
It stood out to me that this woman perceived Elisha was a man of God. I am amazed at the number of people who come across my path and fail to perceive that I am of God. Jesus said to the woman of Samaria: If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. Jn. 4